NEW CASTLE — The Delaware Division of Social Services is issuing emergency benefits for October to eligible households as part of the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Benefits will be issued as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and two cash assistance programs — Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and General Assistance.

SNAP emergency food benefits were issued Wednesday and should have been available on recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer cards Thursday. TANF and GA households should have received an emergency cash benefit check on or after Wednesday.

All households with open SNAP cases will receive at least $95 in emergency food benefits, to be issued as follows:

• Households receiving the maximum food benefit amount for their household size or a prorated initial benefit will receive $95 in emergency benefits.
•  Households with a calculated emergency food benefit amount less than $95 will have their emergency benefit increased to $95.
• Households with a calculated emergency benefit amount of $95 or more will continue to receive an amount to increase the household’s monthly benefit up to the maximum benefit amount for their household size.

The emergency assistance for TANF and GA families will increase a household’s monthly benefit for each program up to the maximum benefit amount for the household size.

Households that already receive the maximum TANF or GA benefit amount or that have a prorated benefit in the month of October are not eligible for the October emergency cash funds.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services has issued emergency benefits each month to eligible households as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, which was signed into law in March 2020.

For more information about DSS’ benefit programs in response to the pandemic, go to the division’s webpage. To apply for benefits, go here or call 866-843-7212.